Mini Herb Profile | Lemon Balm | Melissa officinalis

I LOVE LEMON BALM! And yes I’m screaming it!!

Here is the laundry list of actions & wonders that Lemon Balm can and has been used for:

~Carminative (relieves gas)

~Nervine (soothes the nervous system)

~Antispasmodic (calms spasms)

~Antidepressant

~Diaphoretic (aids in sweating out fevers)

~Antimicrobial

~Hepatic (supports liver function)

~general stress & anxiety

~insomnia

~cold & flu prevention

~hyper kids

~hyperthyroid

~heart support

~liver & digestive support

~herpes/cold sores

~tension

~cramping of all kinds

But, as you know, I am NOT an allopathic herbalist, and so despite Lemon Balm’s many virtues, it’s important to look at your health holistically to see if Lemon Balm is the right plant for you.

In my practice Lemon Balm is best used for folks who tend to be colder and drier, and are “shaky”. It could be actual physical shaking, or the mental shatter box brain “shaky” or both! That being said as Lemon Balm has specifically been used to treat herpes, shingles and many a cold and flu virus, I would have to add that Lemon Balm serves heated inflammatory conditions as well.

Anxiety is the big one with this plant. For folks who can just not relax their worry wort brains… this herb is a life saver.

I also love to use Lemon Balm as an after dinner drink as it’s an excellent digestive herb and not surprisingly is in the mint family.

Combined with Valerian & Skullcap, Lemon Balm is a wonderful menstrual cramp remedy during painful moon cycles.

Lemon Balm is a wonderful ally for children and elders throughout cold and flu season as it makes a delicious tea and is a phenomenal antimicrobial.

Aside from being contraindicated in hypothyroidism, Lemon Balm is one of my top 10 plant allies I personally use all year long!

xoA